Chai Pe Kharcha: tea brings out the best in you

Thanks to the British colonials who brought tea into India and made us addicted to it fully. Tea is self-sufficient drink. So it is intended to be drunk by itself. I am convinced that adding anything to this drink, i.e. milk, sugar, honey, etc. is ill taste. I apologize for that, given that I might hurt someone's feelings or question old traditions. If you want to get all the health benefits associated with tea, you should drink it by itself. These are some of scientifically proven health benefits of tea:

Green tea is good anti-oxidant and thus promoted for preventing cancer. Green tea has stimulating effect because it contains both caffeine and theanine. However its stimulating effect is rather smooth compared to coffee. Due to proven antibacterial effect (theanine) can be helpful in digestion disorder treatment. Diuretic action thanks to caffeine and theobromine which stimulate kidneys. If you add something to it, you simply get another drink. Think of it as a mix drink or cocktail with different benefits if any.

For example, adding sugar of any kind contradicts with tea anti-oxidant property. Sugar is very bad and unhealthy and by latest studies considered as one of the main causes of cancer. So what's the point of adding it to tea? Adding honey is silly, cause health benefits you would expect from honey disappear when hot water destroys those healthy ingredients. Given that the lowest temperature for brewing white tease is slightly above 70C/160F. Milk is argued to be not that healthy drink as it was perceived before. Lactose (milk sugar) factor and etc.

So to cut the long story short, just enjoy the tea by itself and develop your own palette by tasting different varieties of this wonderful beverage. And take advantages of its health benefits on your journey. How should you drink your tea? A Viennese writer, Peter Altenburg explains it. "Six o'clock in the evening is approaching. I can sense it drawing near. At Six o'clock on the dot I drink tea, a celebratory enjoyment devoid of disappointment in this ailing existence. Something that makes you realize that you have the power of calming happiness in your hands".

Even the action of pouring water into my beautiful wide half-liter nickel kettle gives me pleasure. I wait patiently for it to boil, listening out for the whistling sound, the singing of water. I have a huge, deep round mug made of red-brick-colored Wedgwood. The tea has a golden yellow hue. It never gets too brown but remains delicate and light. I drink it mindfully and very slowly. The tea has a stimulating effect on my nervous system. Everything in life seems to be more bearable and lighter thereafter. Drinking my Tea at Six o'clock seems to never lose its power over me. Every day I long for it as intensively as the day before, and when I drink it I lovingly embrace it into my being.

It's a fluid, so it can hydrate you. Aside from that, I don't see much benefit to it at all. And if it's a type that's high in caffeine, it probably has some negative effects on health. Otherwise, it's not likely to have much of a negative or positive impact. Herbal teas protect our bodies with some much-needed hydration. They also help to fight against infection and nausea.

Here are some of the best herbal teas that you can choose from. Lemongrass Tea: Lemongrass tea is prepared from the lemongrass plant, and it is used in cooking as well. Due to the presence of a component called Citral, it helps to digest our food, therefore it is often served after dinner. Teas such as Lemon Zinger are prepared through the blending of it.

Green Tea: Green tea is called the “wonder herb” because it has various health benefits. The presence of potent antioxidants called polyphenols helps to reduce free radicals. It reduces the risk of cancer and prevents the formation of tumors as well. It is really beneficial to our health because it lowers cholesterol, triglyceride levels and it lowers blood pressure. It also strengthens our immune system and helps fight against tooth decay and different viruses.

Ginger Tea: Ginger increases our energy and also acts as a stimulator. It helps to digest our food and to control problems such as nausea. The presence of anti-inflammatory properties makes it really helpful for people with Arthritis.

Peppermint Tea: It is a soothing tea made from the fragrant herb Peppermint. It helps reduce the problems of vomiting, nausea, and motion sickness. It strengthens our immune system and gives our body protection against mild coughs, mild asthma, congestion, mild aches and chronic pain. Those who have been suffering from heart problems must avoid drinking peppermint tea because it might deteriorate your health.

Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea helps to reduce our stress and helps to digest food. Chamomile is one of the best known popular herbs that is used all over the world. It secures peaceful sleep and reduces insomnia. People who are allergic to chamomile should abstain from drinking this tea.

Rose Hip Tea: Rose Hip tea is a rich source of Vitamin C, and it is the fruit of the rose plant. It is beneficial to our tissue health, adrenal function and skin and also helps strengthen our immune system.

Lavender Tea: The dried purple, white and pink colored flowers are used to prepare Lavender Tea. It is a medicinal herbal tea that is used as a scented herb worldwide. It helps us in many ways. It helps to reduce respiratory issues, cough, asthma, bronchitis and body temperature and is used for treating fever. It also helps to heal ulcers, sores, cuts and wounds.

Lemon Balm Tea: This tea is really beneficial to our health and it’s effective in reducing stress and calming nerves. It also helps to control thyroid problems and lowers insomnia and anxiety. It increases the capacity of our memory and improves our mood. It also improves problems of the stomach including digestion and flatulence.

Hibiscus Flower Tea: Hibiscus Flower Tea is made from dried hibiscus flowers. It helps to reduce hypertension, cholesterol and blood pressure. The presence of antioxidants in hibiscus tea gives us protection against cell-damaging free radicals. Hibiscus is also used in Zinger Tea and Sorrel Tea.

Milk Thistle Tea: While used as a tea, milk thistle herb helps clean the liver, and its components help to improve liver function. It also improves our digestive system through the production of bile.

Echinacea Tea: The presence of antioxidants in Echinacea Tea increases the power of the immune system. It reduces pain and inflammation and helps to prevent the common cold. Polysaccharides are found in the upper most part of the plant.

Blackberry Leaves Tea: This tea boasts of the refreshing berry-flavor. It contains antioxidants such as flavonoids and it’s really good for our health.

Dandelion Tea: Dandelion Tea is made from the plant’s leaves and flowers. It contains immense vitamins and minerals. It helps lower fluid retention and provides soothing pleasure to pain and swelling caused by arthritis. It also improves our digestive system and liver function.

Hawthorn Tea: Peach and berry flavored teas are made of the leaves, flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant. It enhances blood circulation and helps to improve cardiovascular health. It also reduces stress and improves the process of drainage of excess salt from our body.

Cinnamon Tea: Cinnamon Tea has many health benefits, and it is really easy to prepare. It is extremely beneficial for weight loss. It enhances our bodily strength to fight against viruses and also helps to control blood sugar. Cinnamon Tea becomes even more effective when it is blended with honey.

Cardamom Tea: Cardamom Tea is made from dried white cardamom flowers and the sweet aromatic seeds. The plants are usually grown in Guatemala and India. Cardamom tea has a sweet, aromatic flavor. It helps improve indigestion, stomach pain and reduces flatulence and nauseousness. It also aids in the fight against pulmonary disorders and coughs. It helps to remove caffeine from our system. During the period of menstruation, it also helps to refresh the minds of women.

Red Clover Tea: Red Clover Tea is made from the dried blossoms of the perennial red clover plant. It helps in relieving the complications and discomfort related to menopause. It also reduces stress helps to have a more peaceful sleep. It also strengthens bones and improves the power of our memory.

Rooibos Tea: It is one of the most popular herbal teas worldwide. It is good for our health due to the presence of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has an incredible distinct flavor and it reduces stress and helps improve insomnia.

Nettle Tea: The leaves of stinging nettle are used in the making of nettle tea. It is really effective in anemia and reduces high blood pressure as well as relieves the pain of rheumatism and arthritis. It also strengthens our immune system and helps fight against coughs and colds. Furthermore, it lowers problems such as urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder problems and congestion. Here is an extract of a lovely article below"

"33 Health Benefits of Drinking Tea: By Meredith Walker" Tea has been an important beverage for thousands of years and has been a huge part of culture in countries around the world, forming major parts of ceremonies, trade routes and even starting revolutions. But tea isn’t just appreciated for its good taste and worldwide appeal, it also offers numerous health benefits. Here are a few health conscious reasons you should add a cup of tea to your daily routine.

Overall Health: Tea can be beneficial to your whole body as you can see from these great effects. Tea contains antioxidants. Antioxidants can help slow down aging and help your cells to regenerate and repair. Teas of all varieties contain high levels of antioxidant polyphenols that can help keep your body healthier and some studies suggest even ward of some cancers.

Tea has less caffeine than coffee. While there are some potential health benefits to consuming moderate amounts of caffeine, drinking loads of it is hard on your heart and other organs. Tea can provide the pick me up of coffee but without the high levels of caffeine making you less jittery and helping you get to sleep when you want.

Tea helps keep you hydrated. Conventional wisdom held that caffeinated beverages actually dehydrated you more than they hydrated you. Recent research has shown, however, that caffeine doesn’t make a difference unless you consume more than 5 to 6 cups at a time. Tea has been shown to actually be more healthy for you than water alone in some cases because it hydrates while providing antioxidants.

Mental Health: Boost your brain and mental state with these benefits of tea. Tea can create a calmer but more alert state of mind. Studies have shown that the amino acid L-theanine found in the tea plant alters the attention networks in the brain and can have demonstrable effects on the brain waves. More simply, tea can help you relax and concentrate more fully on tasks. Tea lowers the chance of having cognitive impairment. Research on Japanese adults who consumed at least 2 cups of green tea daily found that those individuals had cut their risk of cognitive impairment by half.

Tea lowers stress hormone levels. Black tea has been shown to reduce the effects of a stressful event. Participants in a study experienced a 20% drop in cortisol, a stress hormone, after drinking 4 cups of tea daily for one month. Tea eases irritability, headaches, nervous tension and insomnia. Red tea, also known as rooibos, is an herbal tea that originated in Africa. It has been show to have many relaxing effects that help reduce a wide range of irritations and inflammations on the body. Tea can cause a temporary increase in short term memory. Not feeling on your game today? Try drinking some tea. The caffeine it contains may give you the boost you need to improve your memory, at least for a few hours.

Heart and Other vital Organs: Help protect your heart and other organs with these beneficial effects of tea. Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Tea helps to prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots which are very often the cause of heart attacks and strokes. Some studies have even found that black tea drinkers were at a 70 percent lower risk of having a fatal heart attack. Tea protects your bones. You don’t have to put milk in your tea for it to help out your bones. Studies have shown that regular tea drinkers have stronger bones than those of non tea drinkers, even when other variables were adjusted for. Scientists have theorized it may be a benefit of the phytochemicals in tea.

Tea may protect against heart disease. While more studies are needed for conclusive evidence, it has been suggested that regular consumption of green and black tea leads to a significant reduction in the risk of heart disease related heart attacks. Tea can help lower cholesterol.A recent study in China has shown that the combination of a low-fat diet and tea produced on average a 16% drop in bad cholesterol over 12 weeks when compared to a control group simply on a low-fat diet. If you’re struggling to get your cholesterol under control, try adding tea to your diet to see if it helps.

Tea can help lower blood pressure. Drinking only half a cup of green or oolong tea a day could reduce your risk of high blood pressure by up to 50% and those that drink more can even further reduce their risk, even if they have additional risk factors. Tea aids in digestion. Tea has been used in China for thousands of years as an after-meal digestive aid and it can help you as well due to the high levels of tannins it contains.

Tea helps inhibit intestinal inflammation. The polyphenols in green tea have been shown to have an effect on the intestinal inflammation caused by conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome allowing sufferers more comfort from a natural remedy. Tea can reduce stomach cramps. Properties of red tea cause it to acts as anti-spasmodic agent and allowing it to aid in the relief of stomach cramps or even colic in infants.

Fitness and Appearance: Tea can not only help you feel good but look good too. Tea helps protect your smile. While the stereotype of the tea-drinking Brits with horrible teeth may make you think otherwise, tea actually contains fluoride and tannins, both of which help reduce plaque buildup and tooth decay. Combined with a good dental hygiene regimen, this could keep your teeth healthier for longer. Tea is calorie-free. Tea itself has no calories unless you choose to add sweeteners or milk, making it a satisfying, low-cal way to wake up and maybe even shed a few pounds. Tea increases your metabolism. Is a slow metabolic rate keeping you from losing the weight you want? Some studies suggest that green tea may be able to boost your metabolic rate slightly, allowing you to burn an additional 70-80 calories a day. While this may not seem like much, over time it could add up.

Tea helps keep your skin acne-free. The antioxidants in green tea may have an effect on acne, and in some cases have been shown to work as well as a 4% solution of the much more harsh benzoyl peroxide. Tea can help bad breath. A study at the University of Chicago has suggested that the polyphenols in tea can help to keep the bacteria that causes bad breath in check.

Illness and Disease: Check out these benefits of tea which may help prevent you from getting sick. Tea strengthens your immune defenses. You may want to drink a cup of tea the next time a cold is going around your office. A recent study compared the immune activity in coffee drinkers to that of tea drinkers and found it to be much higher (up to five times) in those that chose tea. While it’s no guarantee against a cold, it sure couldn’t hurt. Tea protects against cancer. While the exact types of cancer tea protects against are debated, recent research has suggested that lung, prostate and breast cancer see the biggest drop when green tea is consumed regularly. Again, there is no surefire way to prevent getting cancer, but having a cup of tea a day may is definitely worth the preventative benefits.

Tea can help prevent arthritis. Research suggests that older women who are tea drinkers are 60 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not drink tea. The same effect has not been measured in older males, however, but additional studies may prove otherwise. Tea can help fight the flu. Black tea may bolster your efforts to fight the flu as participants in a study who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice daily where more immune to the flu virus than those who didn’t.

Tea helps fight infection. Tea contains chemicals called alkylamine antigens which act similarly to some tumor cells and bacteria, boosting the body’s immune response. It has even been shown to have an effect on severe infections like sepsis. Tea may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s Disease. New studies are suggesting that regular tea consumption may help protect the body from developing this neurological disorder. Tea can prevent food poisoning. Catechin, one of the bitter ingredients found in green tea has been shown to effectively kill the bacteria which cause food poisoning and minimize the effects of the toxins that are produced by those bacteria. Tea can lead to the inhibition of HIV. New research from the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has found that a substance found in green tea may inhibit the HIV virus from binding and can be a healthy part of a suppression regiment.

Tea may help prevent diabetes. There is some evidence to suggest that green tea helps lower the risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes, though future research is needed to confirm the association. Tea can lower blood sugar. Tea contains catechin and polysaccharides which have been demonstrated to have a noticeable effect on lowering blood sugar. Tea can prevent iron damage. Those suffering from iron disorders like haemochromatosis may be helped by drinking tea, which contains tannins that limit the amount of iron the body can absorb.

Tea can help with nasal decongestion. If you’ve got a bit of a cold, drinking black tea with lemon may help clear up some of the congestion that’s bothering you. Just make sure your body doesn’t become dependent on the treatment.” Well , if you've read all that I think you deserve a cup of tea! I'd recommend changing to decaffeinated tea after 4 pm. Cheers to a hot cup of Tea.